Thanks for the tips! Any idea on what size clousers I should tie? Are saltwater hooks different than a normal Mustad hook?

Will I be mostly surf casting and stripping back or could I do some sight fishing too? Would really like to get after some tailing Red's, but don't know if I would be in the right area for that...

You won't see tailing reds on the Gulf side. Most of that action is in salt-marsh creeks. Mostly you'll watch for action or blind cast. If you study the beach, you'll find where the rips are (slightly deeper channels where water flows seaward). Fish gather there.